Helen L. Pettus, nee Banes, 80, of Troy, Ill., born March 4, 1932, in Leadwood, Mo., died on Thursday, April 5, 2012, at her home.

Mrs. Pettus was a retired secretary from McCray-Dewey and Molden Schools in Troy, Ill. Helen had been a member of Bethel Baptist Church for more than 45 years. She volunteered in the welcome center, office, preparing funeral dinners, flowers, WMU, and she loved to crochet for the Linus Project. Some of her greatest joy came from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many loving friends. Those who knew Helen, knew of her passion for the many flower gardens that she tended to and the meals she enjoyed making especially her baked rolls. She will be truly missed by all.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Homer L. Pettus, whom she married on June 3, 1950, at the First Baptist Church in Leadwood, Mo., and who died on Feb. 5, 2007; parents, Harold and Betty, nee Drennan, Banes; and a sister, Myra Yount.

Surviving are her sons, James L. (Karen) Pettus of Columbia, S.C., William H. (Patricia) Pettus of Highland, Ill., and Randall (Karie) Pettus of Elizabethtown, Ky.; nine grandchildren, Michael Pettus, SrA Jennifer Pettus, Daniel (Janna) Pettus, Dr. Jason (Catherine) Pettus, Trevor (Jenna) Pettus, Christina (Grant) Jones, Joshua (special friend, Susan) Pettus, Jakob Pettus and Maggie Pettus; and six great-grandchildren, Alexandra Treadwell, Thaddeus Jones, Jackson Jones, Gia Pettus, Kai Pettus and Alice Pettus.
Memorials may be made to the Bethel Baptist Church.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at Bethel Baptist Church in Troy, Ill.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at the church with the Rev. Timothy Lewis officiating. Interment in Friedens Cemetery, Troy, Ill.

LAUGHLIN-RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, Troy, Ill.